Self-Watering System for a Potted Plant

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a self-watering system for a potted plant comprising a liquid container and an insert with an in use position against the potted plant pointing upper part, which extends at least partially through an opening in the pot bottom. The invention is primarily intended for use in watering of potted plants ready for sale from e.g. horticultural greenhouses, but can obviously also be used for both the subsequent watering during the rest of the plant&#39;s life from end-users and for watering during the cultivation of a potted plant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-watering system for a pottedplant comprising a liquid container and an insert with an upper portionthat extends at least partially through an opening in the pot bottomwhen it is placed in the system. The invention is primarily intended foruse in irrigation of potted plants ready for sale by for examplehorticultural greenhouses, but can obviously also be used for both thesubsequent irrigation during the rest of the plant's life from end-usersand for irrigation during the cultivation of a potted plant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often potted plants are transported in refrigerated trucks from thegreenhouse to the supermarket, which can occur at as low as 3-4° C.,where plant growth halt, and typically take 1-2 days. Afterwards the potplants typically stand in the supermarket for up to approx. 4-6 daysbefore they collapse. This applies, for example, to roses, which requirespecial favorable living conditions, including efficient irrigation tokeep them fresh.

There could easily lapse e.g. 10 days or longer from a potted plantfinish growing until it ends at the end user's home, and during thisperiod it is desirable that the plant is watered efficiently to avoidplant languish or even collapse. Supply of a sufficient amount of liquidduring the whole period and the effective distribution of liquid volumeto the plant roots are particularly desirable. Especially insupermarkets it may be difficult for busy staff to perform effectivemanual irrigation of the many different types of potted plants that havedifferent water needs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,253 discloses a process for even watering a plant ina flowerpot, which is located on a foot inside a container of water.Footer ensure that raise the pot above water level, while absorbentwicks ensure that lead water from the container to the plant. Wicks oneend attached to the foot while the other end manually forced throughspecial openings on the side of the pot using a suitable rod when thepot is placed on the foot. This will require a cumbersome manualoperation to this famous watering system works.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,819 discloses a different system of self-wateringpot plants. The flowerpot is supported by the mating surfaces at severalevenly spaced pins or skewers, made of a material capable oftransporting water from the water container. The legs extend from thebottom of a water container through a corresponding number of openingsmade in the pot bottom, into the soil in the pot, so as to provide evenwatering when the water container containing water.

In order for the pot to rest stably on its legs, it is necessary to haveat least three evenly spaced legs extending from self-watering containerbottom to the pot bottom. It is not easy to arrange all the holes in thepot bottom above the corresponding number of frail and thin upwardlydirecting legs. It is time consuming and if only one leg is broken atleast the water container must be discarded and the entire placementprocedure is repeated. U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,819 also describes the use ofa single water wicking leg. The water wicking legs have a water wickingbase on which the flowerpot base is resting directly. This embodimentallows the container to contain only a limited amount of water becausethe pot will otherwise be in direct contact with irrigation water. Apotted plant used in this self-watering design could easily beover-watered resulting in constantly flooded roots that will rotten.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,632 discloses a self-watering system for pottedplant, which comprises a liquid container, wherein an insert is providedwith a wick for transporting liquid from the liquid container. The lowerpart of the insert is adapted to the liquid container so that the insertis centred therein. The wick extends along the upper part of the insertand is then guided into the insert about halfway down. In the embodimentshown in US 4,117,632 the wick is wound around the upper part of theinsert. This creates a long transport path from the liquid in the liquidcontainer to the potted plant. Moreover it is difficult to draw the wickinto the insert.

Hence, there exists a need for a new and improved self-watering systemthat can overcome the problems of the known self-watering systems.Because different types of plants and / or different types of growthmedia, potting soil, peat moss, peat or synthetic enriched growth media,such as rockwool added fertilizer, have different liquid needs and verydifferent abilities to hold water, it is desirable to have aself-watering system that can accommodate these varying needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Within the scope of the present invention, the term “use position” meansthe position which the pot acquires when it receives water from thewater container in which the pot sits.

Within the scope of the present invention, a potted plant “liquid needs”to mean the flow of liquid volume per unit time, the distribution ofliquid in the pot plant growing medium and the total volume of liquid inthe liquid container that meets the plant's growing conditions. A pottedplant's liquid needs e.g. depend on plant type, growth medium, and howdeveloped its roots are.

In a first aspect according to the present invention there is provided aself-watering system of the initially mentioned kind, which is easy touse and adaptable to different liquid needs of different plants.

In another aspect according to the present invention there is provided aself-watering system of the initially mentioned kind, which effectivelydistributes the liquid into the pot plant growing medium.

In a third aspect according to the present invention there is provided aself-watering system that ensures that the pot is stably supported.

Specifically for these aspects there is provided self-watering system(1) for a potted plant comprising a liquid container (2) and an insert(3) with an in use position against the potted plant pointing upper part(9), which extends at least partially through an opening in the pot (4)bottom, wherein:

-   -   the self-watering system (1) includes at least one to the upper        part (9) of the insert attached wick (11) for transporting fluid        from the liquid container (2);    -   the insert (3) is hollow and the diameter of the bottom of the        insert is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the        liquid container, and    -   the upper part (9) insert (3) is tapered; characterized in that        the wick (11) extends along the exterior wall of the insert's        (3) upper part (9) and lower part (7).

Also for these aspects there is provided a self-watering system (1) fora potted plant comprising a liquid container (2) with an integratedinsert (3) with an in use position against the potted plant pointingupper part (9), which extends at least partially through an opening inthe pot (4) bottom, characterized in that:

-   -   the self-watering system (1) includes at least one to the upper        part (9) of the insert attached wick (11) for transporting fluid        from the liquid container (2);    -   the insert (3) is hollow;    -   the lower part of the insert (3) is adapted to the liquid        container (2) so that the insert (3) is centered therein;    -   the insert (3) extends from the bottom of the liquid container        (2) and is tapered, and    -   the wick (11) extends along the exterior wall of the insert's        (3) upper part (9) and lower part (7).

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention there is provideda self-watering system of the aforementioned kind that can be used towater the plants placed in a tray (such as a transport-tray).Specifically there is provided a self-watering system for potted plantscomprising a tray for receiving plant pots, wherein the tray is providedwith one or more cavities that are adapted to the external form of thepots, said one or more cavities provided with inserts extending from thebottom of each cavity, said inserts each having an in use positionagainst the potted plants pointing upper part (9), which extends atleast partially through an opening in the pot bottom, characterized inthat the self-watering system includes at least one to the upper part(9) of each insert attached wick (11) for transporting fluid from thecavities to the plant, said the wick (11) extends along the exteriorwall of the insert's (3) upper part (9) and lower part (7).

The new and distinctive feature, which this is provided according to thepresent invention, is that the self-watering system includes at leastone wick attached to the upper part of the insert for transportingliquid from the liquid container.

One so designed self-watering system can be simply and easily be adaptedto potted plants with different liquid needs by simply selecting andadapting the wick parameters, such as number of wicks and location onthe insert, the wick length, thickness, material, and other similaradjustable parameters by the at least one wick which ensures efficientsupply of liquid to the specific plant in the specific type of pot. Muchmore liquid is evaporated from a clay flowerpot than from a plasticflowerpot, which can be taken into account by adjusting theaforementioned wick parameters.

The self-watering system according to the present invention is incontrast to known systems not critical to the choice of plant type, pottype, pot size, or type of growth medium, and all possible combinationsof these can be easily added to water under optimum conditions. Theself-watering system according to the present invention can either takethe form of a plant pot or a tray that can be used to place a majorityof pot plants.

The present invention therefore provides:

i) a self-watering system that takes the shape of a plant pot, namely aself-watering system for a potted plant comprising a liquid containerand an insert with an in use position against the potted plant directingupper portion that extends at least partially through an opening in thepot bottom, characterized by that the self-watering system includes atleast one wick attached to the upper part of the insert for transportingliquid from the liquid container, and that the insert has exteriorupwardly directing distance elements.

ii) a self-watering system that takes the form of a tray, namely aself-watering system for potted plants placed in a potted plant tray,where the tray is provided with cavities that are adapted to theexternal form of the pots, which system comprises one or more inserts inthe cavity bottom with an in use position against the potted plantsdirecting upper portion that extends at least partially through anopening in the bottom of the pots, characterized in that theself-watering system includes at least one wick attached to the upperpart of the insert for transporting liquid from the cavity bottom. Thissystem may use the same characteristics as the system that takes shapeas a plant pot.

The self-watering system according to the present invention is thereforeflexible, easy to use, easy to adapt to individual needs while theself-watering system is cost saving.

It is preferred that the at least one wick is made of a textile, such asa polyester, which is capable of absorbing and transporting liquid viacapillary effect, but any material having a capillary effect or isotherwise able to carry liquid from the liquid container to the growthmedium in the pot, is applicable.

The upper part of the insert may advantageously include means forloosely holding the at least one wick, which means that it is possibleto both add and remove wicks from the system as needed.

By simply changing one or more wick parameters, it is easy to fabricateself-watering systems that satisfy different individual needs, and tochange these systems both before and after deployment. This means thatif even one irrigation system is adapted to one specific liquid needs akind of potted plant, and the system subsequently desired to use adifferent type of potted plant with a second liquid needs, or the firsttype of potted plant needs change, for example. as a result of increasedgrowth or changing conditions for water evaporation, the system can beeasily modified to fit the changing needs of the new instance bychanging the wick parameters, such as removing or adding one or morewicks.

When the upper part of the insert is tapered so that the cross-sectionalarea of the insert decreases towards the pot, a single self-wateringsystem according to the invention may be used in conjunction with flowerpots with openings of various shapes and sizes.

The insert is equipped with external upwardly pointing distance elementsso that the pot bottom during use is increased in proportion to theliquid level in the liquid container. Liquid supply to the growth mediumcan in this embodiment favorably be maintained using the at least onewick. Furthermore, the upwardly pointing distance elements in a simpleway to ensure that there is a space for the least one wick between thepot bottom and the insert even when the cross-sectional area of the potopening is as large as or larger in relation to the largest crosssectional area of the upper part of the insert.

A free end of the upwardly pointing distance elements may advantageouslybe circular in order to prevent the wick being trapped between anupwardly pointing distance element and the pot bottom, whereby thecontinuous liquid transportation consequently is interrupted.

Appropriately the insert may be hollow, so that minimum material isneeded to manufacture it and material costs can thus be kept low.Moreover, hollow and identical base-less inserts be stacked on eachother, rendering them easy to store and cheap to transport before use.

In order to allow water from the liquid container to fill the cavity ina hollow insert the lower part of the insert may include at least oneliquid opening. This opening, which most appropriately is located alongthe edge of the insert that during use rests on the bottom of the liquidcontainer, allows the liquid in the liquid container to freely pass intothe insert cavities. Since only a tiny of the volume of the liquidcontainer is occupied by the hollow insert, the volume of the containeris therefore optimally used.

Compared to a self-watering system with a massive insert, the level ofthe insert may be reduced without compromising the liquid capacityliquid container, if the insert is hollow. If the insert is made hollowwithout changing its height, the advantage is that a larger volume ofliquid, preferably water, may be stored in the liquid container which isnot to be refilled as often as if the insert was massive.

When the upper part of the insert extends over a circular shoulder to alower part with a larger diameter or with a larger cross sectional areathan the maximum diameter of the upper part, respectively, largestcross-sectional area the insert may be stably placed in the bottom ofthe liquid container. This also allows the flowerpot to stay securelypositioned in the self watering system. In a preferred embodiment thediameter or cross sectional areas of the insert's bottom isapproximately equal to the inner diameter of the liquid or innercross-sectional area of the liquid container, respectively.

Distance elements of the insert may favorably be located on the circularshoulder, for example, evenly distributed in a uniform pattern, such asa circle around the central axis of the insert, so as to achieve aparticularly stable support of the flowerpot.

The resulting space between the pot bottom and the circular shoulder ofthe insert provides the advantage of at least one wick may be placedalong the pot bottom and insert shoulder without the wick being clamped.Such clamping could lead to reduction or even cessation of the capillaryeffect of the wick that provides for transport of liquid from the liquidcontainer to the pot. Alternatively, the wick may simply be cut in theclamping site.

The insert, according to the present invention can be designed as a bodyaround a central axis, preferably a hollow body, whereby the insert issimple and inexpensive to manufacture, is dimensionally stable, cancarry heavy pots without collapsing, and fits into most conventionalliquid containers. A so constructed insert can be provided with arelatively thin circular wall without the insert's ability to supportand carry flowerpots, even heavy flower pots, deteriorate.

Radial distance may be provided between the upper and outer surface andthe perimeter of the pot opening, for example, by using shaped, radialdistance elements, such as recesses, protrusions or similar structuralcomponents, which extends from the upper part's free end against thelower part. Alternatively, this radial distance may be a result of thedesign of the upper part. If, for example, the cross section of upperpart is rectangular and the opening in the pot is circular, or viceversa, they leave, solely because of the different geometric shapes,throughgoing openings that allow the smallest wick free passage throughthe opening in the pot bottom without getting clamped between theaperture perimeter and upper part of the insert.

The means for loosely holding the at least one wick may for example beselected from the group consisting of a wedge, a pointed spear that canpenetrate the wick, a track in the peak and a strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a burst image seen in perspective of a first embodiment ofthe self-watering system for use with a flowerpot,

FIG. 2 shows the same in assembled state,

FIG. 3 shows, seen in perspective and larger scale, the insert shown inFIG. 1,

FIG. 4 schematically shows a simplified cut along the line III-III inFIG. 2, on a larger scale and illustrated with growth medium and plant,

FIG. 5 shows, seen in perspective, another embodiment of an insertaccording to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows, seen in perspective, a third embodiment of an insertaccording to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows, seen in perspective, a fourth embodiment of an insertaccording to the invention,

FIG. 8 shows, seen in cross section a fifth embodiment where the liquidcontainer and the insert are integrated,

FIG. 9 shows, seen at the top, a tray according to present invention forself-watering of pot plants, and

FIG. 10 shows, seen in cross section, a tray according to presentinvention for self-watering of pot plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows, seen in perspective the components of the self-wateringsystem according to the present invention. The individual components areshown as cylindrical bodies, but in principle the components can equallywell be angular, such as polygon, etc.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a self-watering system 1 comprising a liquidcontainer 2 and an insert 3 for use with a flowerpot 4. The liquidcontainer 2 has a bottom 5 and an opposite open end 6, for receiving theinsert 3. The insert has a lower part 7, which, via a circular shoulder8 extends into a tapered upper part 9 with a wedge 10 to hold a wick 11.The wick 11 extends, in the case outlined along both the upper 9'scircular wall 12 and the lower part 7's circular wall 13, where the wick11 has a length that is sufficient to be immersed in a volume of liquid(not shown) in the liquid container 2 to obtain a capillary effect.

The circular shoulder 8 of the insert has a total of four against theupper part 9 upwardly pointing distance elements 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d,on which the flowerpot 4 bottom 15 rests, when placed in the useposition. The lower portion 7 of the insert 3 has a free edge 16 with acontinuous liquid opening 17 a, 17 b for liquid passage during use, whenthe insert 3 is located on the bottom 5 of the liquid container 2. Thenumber of distance elements 14 and liquid openings 17 are shown as anexample and more or fewer may be adopted within the scope of the presentinvention.

The actual pot 4 is a traditional flower pot with a bottom 15 and anopen end 18 to receive a potted plant. The bottom 15 has a bottomopening 19 which is sufficiently large to be placed over the taperedupper part 9, while there is a gap between the perimeter 20 of the pot4's bottom opening 19 and the upper part 9's circular outer wall 12 anda space between the pot 4's bottom 15 and the circular shoulder 8 sothat the capillary effect can proceed completely unobstructed withoutconstriction of the wick 11 as shown in the following FIG. 3, where theself-watering system 1 is assembled and planted with a potted plant.

FIG. 3 shows the insert 3 from FIG. 1 in enlarged view, so that it ismore clearly seen how the wick 11 is attached to the insert 3, where themid region of the wick 11 is loosely held by the wedge 10, while the twoends of the wick 11 extend from the wedge 11 over the circular shoulder8 and down to the bottom 16 of the insert 3.

FIG. 4 shows the self-watering system 1 from FIG. 2 in a section throughline IV-IV and with the addition of a growth medium 21, a plant 22 andliquid 23. The liquid 23 in the liquid container 2 only partially coversthe lower part 7 of the insert so that liquid 23 does not have directcontact with the bottom 15 of the pot 4. FIG. 4 clearly show how thewick 11, which is loosely kept in the wedge 10, extends externallydownwards the upper part's 9 outer wall 12 and further through the spacebetween the circular shoulder 8 and the pot 4's bottom 15 and along thelower part 7's external wall 13 towards the bottom 5 of the liquidcontainer 2, so that the wick 11 can transport liquid 23 to the growthmedium 21 in the pot 4. Since the cut through the line IV-IV in FIG. 2is along the wedge 10, the wedge is not seen in FIG. 4. Since thesection also passes through the wick 11, the upwardly pointing distanceelements 14 a, 14 b are not part of the cut, but still included in FIG.4 to clarify how they ensure that there is a gap 24 between the circularshoulder 8 and the pot's 4 bottom 15, since the bottom 15 rests on thedistance elements 14 a, 14 b.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the insert 25 according to theinvention in which the wick 11 extends from the wedge 10 and extendsexternally along the upper 26's outer wall 27 and along the base 28. Inthe use position with liquid container 2 (not shown) and a pot 4 (notshown) the base 28 stands on the bottom 15 of the liquid container 2 sothat the wick 11 can transport liquid 23 (not shown) from the bottom 15.The upwardly pointing distance elements 29 a, 29 b, 29 c, 29 d has asufficient height so that when a flowerpot 4 (not shown) duringoperation rests on the upwardly pointing distance elements 29 a, 29 b,29 c, 29 d, there is room for enough liquid 23 (not shown) in the liquidcontainer 2 without the liquid 23 is in contact with the pot 4's bottom15, while the tapered end of the insert 25's upper portion 26 extendspartially into the inner of the pot 4 in the same way as the embodimentshown in FIG. 1-4. At the base 28 the the insert 25 has a liquid opening17 with the same function as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-4.

FIG. 6 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the insert 30according to the invention, where the difference in comparison with theinsert 3 in FIG. 1-4 is that the insert's 30 upper part 31 is designedas a pyramid stump with one at the top designed wedge 32 to looselyretain the wick 11. This design of the upper part 31 is particularlyadvantageous for use with flower pots with circular openings in theirbottom, as previously mentioned.

FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the insert 33 accordingto the invention, where the difference in comparison with 3 in FIG. 1-4is that the insert 33 is designed with a number of radial distanceelements (FIG. 7 shows two radial distance elements 34 a, 34 b), whichmost preferably are symmetrical about the insert 33's central axis. Themeans for loosely holding the at least one wick may be provided bysupplying the top of the upper part with a top notch/wedge or e.g. twoessentially perpendicular serrations / wedges.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the liquidcontainer and the insert are integrated. The liquid container isintegrated with the insert (here a hollow mandrel) in its center. Theinsert is fitted with a wick 11 in the top. Means for holding the wick11 may be a wedge to into which the wick may be clamped. The liquidcontainer is filled with water 23, after which the pot 4 is put into thecontainer, thus pressing the top of the insert (here mandrel) into thecenter hole of the pot so that the wick 11 comes into contact withpotting 21. The wick can transport water up from the liquid container,whereby the potting soil absorbs the water transported by the wick (dueto capillary effect), where the water is distributed mainly in the lower⅔ parts of potting soil, in which most plant roots are located.

The insert may within the scope of the present invention have a heightthat is less than the height of the liquid container, so that the insertand the at least one wick is not visible. For example, the internalheight of the liquid container may be adjusted so that it is essentiallyequals the pot height when the pot is placed in the self-watering systemof the present invention, whereby the liquid container acts as a plantpot that may have an outer surface that is particularly decorative.Furthermore it achieves the advantage that less liquid evaporates fromthe liquid container when the air circulation around the liquid in theliquid container is reduced.

FIG. 9 shows, seen at the top, a tray-based self-watering system 1 aaccording to the present invention for self-watering pot plants, whereincavities/liquid containers 2 a are provided with inserts 3 a each havinga wick 11 a for use with a flowerpot 4 a (not shown). Hence, in thisembodiment the principles of the present invention are extended tocommonly used flower trays as an alternative to the flower pots normallyused.

FIG. 10 shows, seen in cross section, a section of the tray-basedself-watering system la in FIG. 9 with cavities/liquid containers 2 aand inserts 3 a for use with a flowerpot 4 a. Each liquid container 2 ahas a bottom 5 a and an opposing open end 6 a to receive an insert 3 a.The inserts have a lower part 7 a which extends into a tapered upperpart with a wedge 10 a to maintain a wick 11 a. The wick 11 extends, inthe case outlined along both the upper part's circular external wall andthe lower part 7 a's circular external wall, where wick 11 a has alength that is sufficient to be immersed in a volume of liquid in liquidcontainer 2 a to obtain a capillary effect.

In a preferred embodiment the lower part of the wick is adapted theliquid container so that the insert is centered therein. In practicethis means that a pot with a center hole can be inserted in a simpleworkflow whilst inserts (including wick) are mounted into the pot. Thisis done without positioning/adjustment of the insert relative to thepot.

Direct contact between the growth medium and the liquid in the liquidcontainer can cause the growth medium to absorb too much water or thegrowth medium to collapse, both with negative consequences for theplant. It is therefore important in the present invention that the lowerpart of the insert has a height adapted to the volume of liquid requiredin a given application with the self-watering system so that said directcontact is avoided.

The insert may also be designed from a material that is dimensionallystable and resistant to external influences, such as plant fertilizerand similar chemicals. Suitable materials for the wick include but arenot limited to, for example polypropylene that is inexpensive and easilymachined. If the insert is designed for multiple use, for example atransparent decorative water container made of glass, the wick may bemade from glass, ceramic or metal. Especially a hollow insert may bedesigned by a dimensionally stable material.

The preferred number of wicks can be between 1 and 10, more preferredbetween 1 and 7 and especially preferred between 1 and 4.

The capillary effect of the at least one wick works particularlyeffectively if the wick is made of, for example, polyamide, or othersuitable synthetic/natural fabric.

To ensure that the at least one wick is directed from the retentionpoint on the upper part of the insert and essentially perpendicular tothe liquid container bottom, the outer surface of the insert may befitted with one or more gripping means which grips the wick and thuskeeps it essentially outstretched. These measures will prevent that atleast one wick trapped between the pot and the upwardly pointingdistance elements or between the pot and the radial distance elements,which for example could occur if the at least one wick stretcheddiagonally along the insert's exterior wall due to the handling of theinsert and flowerpot. These means, such as hooks, may for example belocated on the circular shoulder at the base of the upper part and/or atthe base of the lower part.

The insert is designed with an upper portion and a base, as illustratedin FIG. 5. In the use position the base may with advantage rest directlyon the bottom of liquid container and the base may have an area whichessentially corresponds to the internal area of the liquid containerbottom so that the base rests stable.

Liquid is either filled into the container before the insert and the potare put into the liquid container or subsequently through the spacebetween the upper edge of the liquid container and the upper edge of theflowerpot.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. Self-watering system for a potted plant comprising aliquid container with an integrated insert which extends at leastpartially through an opening in a pot bottom, wherein: the insertincludes at least one wick for transporting fluid from the liquidcontainer; the insert is hollow and base-less, and includes an upperpart and a lower part; the lower part of the insert is adapted to theliquid container so that the insert is centered in the liquid container;the insert extends from a bottom of the liquid container and is tapered;and the wick extends along an exterior wall of the upper part and thelower part of the insert.
 10. Self-watering system according to claim 9,wherein the insert takes the form of a mandrel.
 11. Self-watering systemfor potted plants comprising a tray for receiving plant pots, whereinthe tray is provided with one or more cavities that are adapted to theexternal form of the pots, said one or more cavities provided withinserts extending from the bottom of each cavity, said inserts eachhaving an in use position against the potted plants pointing upper part,which extends at least partially through an opening in the pot bottom,wherein the self-watering system includes at least one to the upper partof each insert attached wick for transporting fluid from the cavities tothe plant, said the wick extends along the exterior wall of the insert'supper part and lower part.
 12. Self-watering system according to claim11, wherein each insert has exterior upwardly pointing distanceelements.
 13. Self-watering system according to claim 11, wherein theupper part of the insert includes means for loosely holding the at leastone wick.
 14. Self-watering system according to claim 11, wherein theinserts are hollow and base-less so that inserts on multiple trays canbe stacked on each other.